3,000 hectares of Samangan land cleared of locusts

AIBAK (Pajhwok): Around 3,000 hectares of farmlands have been cleared of locusts during an anti-locust drive in northern Samangan province, an official said Thursday.

Gulabuddin Ghayasi, plant protection manager at the provincial agriculture and livestock department, told Pajhwok Afghan News the campaign was launched on April 10 and wrapped up today.

Ghayasi said around 3,000 hectares of farmlands were sprayed with 1,200 litres of insecticide procured by the department through 30 workers and three vehicles.

He said the drive was implemented in Taikhonak, Sheinkayr, Alisha, Quflani and Qorataba of Hazrat Sultan district.

His department wanted to extend the anti-locust drive to Taikhonak, Rubatak, Manqutan, Achqadog, Dasht Khairabad, Tangi Aijim, Dasht Larzanghan, Laili Sai, Omly and Gawa areas of Hazrat Sultan district but could not do so due to presence of Taliban.

Farmers said locusts appeared after the weather turned warm and then the agriculture department initiated the campaign.

Mohammad Rasoul, 35, a resident of Sherkyar village, said: “I cultivated wheat on 40 hectares of land and the anti-locust team cleared all grasshoppers from my land.”He said his crop was not affected by the swarms.